Magic Item Feedback.

[kitteninablender]

Hey guys. I'm creating a magic item for my DnD group to find in their next Tabletop adventure.

I was hoping to get some feedback on the item, to make sure it's not something too powerful.

Also, keep in mind we are playing DnD5E cause that's what my local comic book shop prefers to run for new players.

Wondrous Item: Fly On the Wall

This diminutive, intricately carved statuette of a Fly appears to be made of Obsidian and Onyx.

When you activate the Fly on the Wall it animates, and flies off, circling a 10 mile radius around yourself. It returns after 8 hours.

The fly circles around the area and listens in on random conversations before returning to it's owner. It can only return to it's owner if the owner is within the 10 mile radius of where it was released.

When the Fly returns the wielder makes an Investigation roll with Advantage. The Fly itself provides a +5 circumstance bonus on this roll.

The Fly on the Wall listens to the casual conversations of the people in the area and brings back any overheard Rumors and Gossip. The result of the Investigate check determines the usefulness of the information.

A Check Result of 10 reveals any prevalent Gossip in the area, though the gossip may be incredibly Vague. "It is said that a man at the Tavern seeks to hire adventurers to deal with a problem."

Every additional +5 on the check result reveals either more pertinent information about a rumor or may provide additional Rumors. For example: A check result of 20 might reveal "A man at the Inn wishes to hire adventurers, the Wizard's Guild is seeking adventurers to hunt out rare alchemical reagents, and the City Guard is also currently hiring temporary recruits."

The details of these rumors are fairly vague, and no better than the average Gossip that flies around local taverns, yarn circles, etc. For example: You may get the rumor that the Butcher's Wife is sleeping with the Baker, but you are unlikely to gain something such as the secret Handshake used to enter the Thieves' Guild.

[Okan]

From the looks of this, it is for 5th edition. The idea for it is kind of cool but here are some things to consider:

I think there should be some sort of cooldown for the usage of this. Something similar to Figurines of Wondrous Power. I think without something like that party might get too dependant for it.

You might need to make a statblock of the creature or at least stat it for the limited checks they might be doing, just in case. Also, both advantage and +5 is a huge bonus, that averages for a +10. Anyone with decent intelligence or has investigation proficiency might as well bypass DC 10 and 15 scenarios.

[kitteninablender]

I appreciate the feedback Okan and after some thought agree 100% with your assessment. Thank you sir/madame, you have my respect and gratitude.

[Okan]

If you still want to incorporate a circumstantial bonus, you can use a table of conditions for the locale. Something similar to Scrying tables but instead of familiarity etc., it can be aspects like population density and civilian level of unrest. I believe it would also add a choice for the players to whether it is worth using this or not, therefore making it a more interactive experience.

I firmly believe wondrous magic items should have some sort of drawback so that they stay as items of utility and not the focal point of adventures -unless it is designed as a McGuffin of sort-, that is why I have suggested a cooldown. But another way to utilize a drawback could be leaving the 10 miles radius makes the connection between wielder and fly null, so there would be the potential cost of losing the fly if you constantly utilizing and had to leave.